Guests inviting friends/family

[Fabiana310]

Hello Hosts,

I’ve searched the community and found a few posts on this topic, but nothing recent, so I’d really appreciate some updated opinions and experiences.

I host a studio villa that accommodates a maximum of 2 adults. I’ve been hosting at this location for over 3 years, and this situation has only come up about three times , so it’s not a frequent issue.

During my first year, a guest asked if a friend could come by for drinks. I agreed. Unfortunately, at checkout the place looked like a frat house ..... they clearly partied. Since then, when guests ask to have friends or family over, I usually respond politely that I’ve had a negative experience in the past and that Airbnb liability coverage only applies to registered guests (2 adults in this case). Depending on the guest’s response, I sometimes stand firm… and sometimes I cave.

My concern is receiving a bad review if guests are unhappy with my decision. In my experience, having a review removed , even when it feels unfair,  is extremely difficult.

Currently, I have guests who asked if their son and his girlfriend could stop by briefly to see where they were staying, I mentioned my experience and the liability, but they pressed and begged and promised they wouldn't stay long. I agreed. However, they’ve now come by again today.

So my question is: Do you strictly enforce a “no visitors” policy and stand your ground? Or do you allow short visits to avoid potential tension and negative reviews?

If you do enforce a no-visitor policy and a guest leaves a negative review because of it, have you had any success getting Airbnb to remove it?

I’d love to hear how other hosts handle this, especially in small spaces where liability and wear-and-tear are real concerns.

Thank you!

[Lorna170]

@Fabiana310  It appears that this villa is on a larger property (where you live?) and under those circumstances, I would not allow guests of the guests, even just to see where they are staying.

[Fabiana310]

Yes! thanks @Lorna170

[Greystone0]

Hi @Fabiana310  - agree with @Lorna170.

And just keep reiterating that your maximum occupancy (day use/overnight use) is TWO adults. If they required more, they would need to search for a place that accommodates more.

And to keep it from feeling too personal just keep saying that your insurance/etc doesn't cover it and so respectfully you would need to keep to that boundary. 

And about the current situation, it sounds like they took permission to perhaps mean "while they are staying there" not just one time? so you may be faced with seeming them again while they are there.

And the current climate of review removal is seeming like it is almost impossible - even when evidence is clear, it seems difficult to do. In your case, make sure you have video evidence of any extra people in the event that a poor review comes up that you might wish to dispute.

good luck!

[Fabiana310]

Thanks for your feedback @Greystone0 , really appreciate it!

[Paula]

Hello @Fabiana310, I’m very glad to see that Greystone’s answer was helpful to you.

If you’d like to mark it as the Top Answer, you can click the button below their comment. This will help other hosts with the same question find an answer more easily and quickly in our community.

I hope to keep seeing you in our community!

[⁨Loft42⁩0]

My property is large, so I have a "visitors fee" for up to 4 visitors. If exceeded, another separate fee applies, as I experience messiness mainly from visitors, not booked guests, who are only 2 persons. This covers wear and tear, amenities, and bills. The units focus on booked guests and fewer visitors. If unannounced visitors arrive, our surveillance team reviews CCTV footage, contacts the guests, and charges a visitor's fee. You'd be surprised how much money you can recover from unauthorized guests.